English Reference
Idiom idiom

not be caught dead


To refuse completely to do something, generally out of scorn.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“I would not be caught dead wearing that ugly hat.”

CONTEXTUAL

“She loves classical music and says she would not be caught dead at a loud rock concert.”

COMPLEX

“Despite the sudden trend among his peers, he insisted he would not be caught dead participating in such a ridiculous public display.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat a dead horse

    To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.

  2. 02

    brown bread

    [Cockney slang]dead

  3. 03

    catch a body

    to kill, to murder

  4. 04

    catch a break

    To experience the minimal amount of good luck or a favorable outcome.

  5. 05

    catch a case

    To be infected with a disease; used with of.

  6. 06

    catch a cold

    To contract a cold.

  7. 07

    catch a date

    Of a prostitute, to secure a client who is willing to pay for services.

  8. 08

    catch a fade

    To get knocked out (struck and rendered unconscious).

Last updated August 10, 2026